The hole truth about National Doughnut Day

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This Friday, June 3 can only mean one thing – National Doughnut Day! And what a time for celebration. In fact, TGIF should be renamed TGID in honour of this austere occasion, especially as it has a fascinating connection with the Salvation Army  and North America’s military.

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Research shows this special day – held annually on the first Friday in June – was actually established back in 1938 by the Salvation Army to honour the famous army’s “Doughnut Lassies,” women who served delicious treats to soldiers during the First World War.

These volunteers were often credited with amping up the doughnut’s popularity in the U.S., when the soldiers returned home from the war. It was then the Salvation Army started celebrating the very first National Doughnut Day in Chicago, to not only commemorate the loyal work of the women, but also raise funds during the Great Depression.

To this day, the doughnut serves “as a symbol of all the social services the Salvation Army provides to those in need,” noted a recent media release, outlining how the Sally Ann still serves meals, offers practical assistance and emotional support to those in need during times of disaster.

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And they’ll be serving doughnuts Friday, in honour of the Lassies and to keep the spirit of giving front and centre – Ontario, for example, will see doughnuts gifted to frontline workers for their dedication, especially during these trying times.

“The Salvation Army’s National Doughnut Day is a great opportunity to encourage and say an extra special thank you to everyone on the frontlines of service who go above and beyond to bring hope, care and compassion,” said Salvation Army spokesperson Glenn van Gulik, of the Ontario division, in a recent email to the Toronto Sun. “From WWI up to the present day, The Salvation Army has continued to support  those on the frontlines,” including health-care professionals, police and firefighters, and “to those who provide support to our most vulnerable, including our own Salvation Army mission partners… these frontline workers are serving people every day.

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“On The Salvation Army’s National Doughnut Day, we thank you for making a difference in the lives of others.” It should be noted the Sally Ann began its work in Canada in 1882 and has grown to become the largest non-governmental direct provider of social services in the country.

And if there’s one sweet treat that loves our nation as much as we love it back, it’s the iconic doughnut – a truly orgasmic confectionary treat with a history steeped in mystery as to its origins. Doughnuts (or donuts) in some form or another “have been around for so long that archeologists keep turning up fossilized bits of what look like doughnuts in the middle of prehistoric Native American settlements,” writes David A. Taylor for Smithsonian Magazine (Smithsonian.com), adding that the humble doughnut “does have a convoluted past that involves Dutch immigrants, Russian exiles, French bakers, Irving Berlin, Clark Gable and a certain number of Native Americans.”

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And, technically, every country has its own version of this little leavened lump of delish – from Italy’s “bomboloni” to Poland’s “paczki” to France’s Beignet to Ukraine’s “pumpushky,” it appears the  doughnut is the qreat equalizer around the globe.

OH CANADA! WE ARE A NATION OF DOUGHNUT LOVERS: Are we a country defined by our love of doughnuts? Food Network Canada  reports the country has “more doughnut shops per capita than any other nation in the world!” According to researchgate.net, the doughnut is “often thought of as the unofficial national food, celebrated in song and story as  symbols of Canadian identity…and an edible symbol of Canadianness.” We’ll take a dozen!

MOST POPULAR DOUGHNUTS IN NORTH AMERICA: According to ipsos.com, cream-filled are the most popular, followed by plain glazed. In Canada, those cruellers are in great demand, as is the Boston Cream. And nothing beats a small box of Timbits to get you through the day.

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COPS AND DOUGHNUTS: Yes, we needed to know — is there a historical correlation between the two? Research shows many a beat or patrol car cop of the 1930s and ’40s would find themselves bereft of sustenance at ungodly hours of their shift. In those days, 24 hour diners just did not exist and, unless you packed your own dinner, you were stumped. Enter a good cup of joe, and a freshly made doughnut (doughnut shops were in full operation) and — cops ended up burning the calories running after the bad guys.

Tonka Bean & Baobab Fruit Doughnuts

This delightful doughnut was created by award-winning Irish baker (now residing in Canada), chocolate aficionado and LGBTQ+ father of two, Gavan Knox, famous for his unique and unexpected flavour combinations – like Black Garlic Ice Cream Sandwich or Chocolate Vinegar Cake. His baking philosophy is to get the conversations started on how to use unexpected ingredients and flavours. In this doughnut recipe, created specifically for National Doughnut Day, Knox says it was a case of “opposite attracts” and blending ingredients that would not traditionally go together. Tonka Bean is an amplified vanilla with an exotic fragrance, while baobab fruit powder acts as a deliciously tart accompaniment to the doughnut. It’s the perfect marriage between the two. For the recipe, check out crumbsinmybeardyyz.wordpress.com. You can follow Knox’s food adventures on Instagram at @crumbsinmybeardyyz